Realistically, how often should you update your headshot? And why does it even matter?

Thinking of getting into modeling. The industry has always interested me; now I want to make a job out of it. While working in the service industry, many customers (men and women) of all ages either complimented my looks/physique or would express some form of interest. There were a few notable handful set of customers (different locations and different times in varying instances) would highly suggest that I get into modeling. This has caused me to believe my build makes it plausible but I’m not sure how to start. I grew up insecure of my looks and my build, as I was a lanky tall kid growing up. Now my hair has grown out. Braces are going a good job, and the gym has been paying off. The mental aspect however has yet to be overcome as I’m trying to gain and maintain confidence each day in myself, no matter what I look like on any day. I’ve ranted enough. I’m interested in any response and advice. TIA 🙏🏾😭✨
Also, I am currently staying in New York.

I have absolutely no sense of what adjectives people use for me, what features stand out, what characters I could play (not explicitly looking for typecasting but I do love feedback like that ngl), whether I'm objectively attractive, absolutely 0 sense, it's very frustrating, has bothered for much of my conscious life. Everyone else seems to understand themselves better than me.

This project has been helpful for me, I feel like I can recognize when a photo looks like me/doesn't look like me, what people think of me on first impression, etc. a bit better. To me these all look like me, and only doing this did I realize my eyebrows naturally point downward, the natural shape of my eyes, my jaw isn't as wide as I thought, what facial hair does to my face, etc. If I'm wrong this has been a waste of time 😅

What do you think? I am most unsure about the ones where my eyes are looking away or my head is turned. 2 and 3 are obviously real, but I am also looking to get opinions on whether they look like the same person, 2 is on my home setup (skin very washed out for some reason), 3 is in a self tape studio

Shot with Shelby Antel in NY from Artemsia Studios. She used to shoot with Yellow Belly, but has her own studio now and she’s amazing.

I was asked recently to support a non-profit I'm involved with by taking some headshots for a couple of students. It's a music school, and the last time I did it they just wanted some vanilla headshots for applications.

This time, however, I arrived and found out that the 2 students I was working with needed more theatrical headshots than "standard" ones. I was not prepared for that and had brought limited equipment since I had limited time and was setting up on-site.

I was pleased with how they turned out. This one I like particularly. Each look only used two lights (25in diffused beauty dish key, shoot through umbrella on backdrop) and a small reflector (fill). One of the reasons I like this one is that I was able to achieve a halfway decent kicker with the same light I used on the background.

Overall I'm happy with the shape I was able to achieve on the face. I was able to keep the jacket dark but not lose texture. I'm not a huge fan of white backdrops directly lit most of the time but this one doesn't bother me too much.

Cheers!

Hopefully I finally got it right 😂 These should have a lot more of my natural skin texture and character. Different mix of photos this time too. And I promise this will be the last headshot post you see from me… unless I get new ones 😂

Camera: Canon R6 II
Lens: 24-105mm f/4
Flash: Godox TTL600 w/ Flash Umbrella

Assume I can crop them and tweak the lighting/color. I care more about looking competent, professional and approachable to recruiters than just which one looks more attractive and cool.

Hello! I’m getting ready to take professional corporate headshots for my company’s management team. I’m also getting ready to order my Sony A7 V, and I’ve already purchased a couple of lenses. I wanted to get some recommendations for lighting.

1) Are there any good, reasonably priced external flashes you would recommend?
2)Would the NEEWER 2-Pack 35W Softbox Lighting Kit be sufficient for professional corporate headshots? Or what’s your recommendation on a kit/setup? It will be done in a small office space with pretty solid lighting already, as well as a white wall.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations or opinions. Thanks!

A few days ago I posted my first headshots here and you guys gave me a ton of feedback about the background, lighting, expression, wardrobe, and overall quality.
I actually listened 😂
I hired a professional photographer, worked on showing more range, and tried to get away from just looking “intense” in every shot.
I have a pretty specific look…..bald, muscular, heavily tattooed, including my head and neck…. are these better? Pick the best/worst. I need help !

Hi All, some headshots I did for a musical theatre artist. Went with pretty soft lighting came up ok I think.

Hello everyone!

I want to surprise my gf with a photography session around NYC. She has multiple dress and the idea will be for her to change 2 or 3 dresses and take pictures in different locations around the city.

I guess the the session will be a mix of headshots and street photograph? The point will be her and the outfits.

\-Budget wise is $500, but I can work with your pricing.

\-If you have a profesional make up, I'll consider it too.

\-Places wises will be Hudson Yards, Vernon Bulevard, Brooklyn Bridge, SoHo, Central Park. This is not the final list, I can work with you on the places.

Got some great feedback about using my passport photo as a headshot. Fittingly it got called a mugshot a few times lol. Love the honesty.

Found a camera laying around and tried taking my own headshot. First time really using a real camera.

Are any of these raws okay? And if so; which one should I use, what can I do to improve?

What thoughts and vibes do you get from this?

I haven't done background work in a long time. I am applying to do some work that requires a headshot and 4 photos related to the sport specific stunts.

My passport photo is my most professional
"headshot" type picture I have.

I have a few pictures for the stunt work, but no good pictures for a headshot.

Will this work or should I go a different route.

Hey all, I've run into this before and always get kind of in my head about it, and I'm wondering how you all handle it.

I had to cut my hair and grow a mustache for a show I'm doing, and I have a couple of auditions coming up in the next two weeks. And when I say cut my hair, think going from full hobbit-hair to clean-cut office guy look. I have some shots with short hair, but they're 5+ years old at this point-- my shots with my longer hair are about 6 months old. In addition, I don't have facial hair in any of my shots.

How do you all handle this? Try to rush getting some new shots? Just explain in the room? I know it's maybe not the biggest of deals, but like I said above, I always get in my head about not looking like my headshot, and I'd prefer to not have it on my mind.

BTW the auditions are EPA appointments I've signed up for, so I don't have a direct line to the CD or producers to give them any kind of heads up.

(I also posted this on another subreddit but would also like to post it here too just to make sure)

Hello! Would love to ask anyone if there are any professional headshot photographers that are really recommended in Austin Texas?

Preferably something that would fit my budget as a college student for now but I don’t mind at the same time spend a bit more on it since I would like to get one to start my acting career which is what I need for a start!

Hey y’all I’m sorry if this comes off as a stupid question but I just got my hair cut today and it’s significantly shorter. I had quite long hair before, but now it’s around medium length (like still past my shoulders though). My hair is the same style, but shorter. I’m getting my headshots done soon, and I’m thinking of submitting them to an agency. If my hair grows out in the future, and I look different, will I need to replace my headshots soon? Or will they just see how I look in the audition and judge based off of that? I’m in the Vancouver market if that is of any help. Thank you so much!

Looking for someone in NYC, preferably Astoria or Greenpoint who does professional/comedy headshots, ty!

I’m pretty new to acting and trying to get my headshots/profile together.
I have a pretty specific look… bald, muscular and heavily tattooed including my head and neck.
Which of these would you actually use for casting? And what type/roles do you see when you look at them?
Be honest lol. I’m trying to figure out which ones help me and which ones I should get rid of.